The official assessment announcement arrived the following morning.
A large crowd had gathered around the academy’s main notice board. Students squeezed between one another, examining the newly posted documents while exchanging opinions about the upcoming evaluation.
Kael arrived with his teammates and immediately noticed several familiar names.
“Looks like they’ve finally released the details,” Darius remarked, folding his arms as he examined the crowd.
Elias stretched his neck, attempting to see past the taller students.
“Could someone explain why they always put important announcements somewhere this crowded?”
“Because it’s the main notice board,” Mira answered with a small smile.
“I know that. I’m questioning the wisdom of making everyone gather in one place just to read a piece of paper.”
“Would you prefer they deliver a personal letter to every student?” Darius asked.
Elias nodded seriously.
“Actually, that sounds wonderful.”
Kael ignored their exchange and moved closer to the announcement.
The document contained three separate evaluation stages.
ACADEMY SUPERVISED PRACTICAL ASSESSMENT
First Stage: Individual Combat Evaluation
Students would be assessed individually on their combat proficiency, weapon handling, magical control, adaptability, and ability to respond to different opponents.
Second Stage: Team Coordination Exercise
Students would be reorganized into mixed teams consisting of unfamiliar participants. Each group would receive an objective and be evaluated on communication, cooperation, adaptability, and task completion.
Third Stage: Field Simulation
Participants would enter a specially prepared training environment and undertake a supervised mission. Teams would receive limited information, specific objectives, and a time limit. Their performance would be evaluated based on decision-making, combat effectiveness, resource management, and mission completion.
The exact objectives would be disclosed immediately before each exercise.
Kael read through the requirements carefully.
The structure was straightforward.
The first stage tested what each student could accomplish independently.
The second examined whether they could work with people outside their usual groups.
The third combined both aspects in a more complicated environment. Students would have to apply their abilities while making decisions under pressure.
Three different evaluations, each targeting a different weakness.
It was a reasonable approach.
However, the second stage immediately caught his attention.
Their usual teammates would be separated.
That meant he couldn’t rely on their established formation or assume everyone would understand his instructions.
The academy was deliberately removing the familiarity they had developed during their previous examination.
“There are quite a few people selected,” Mira observed, looking at the separate list of participants.
Kael followed her gaze.
Team 37 was included, alongside several other groups that had performed exceptionally during the examination.
He recognized Seraphina’s name, as well as several students who had demonstrated considerable ability during their previous encounters.
However, the list didn’t reveal how the mixed teams would be arranged.
“Does that mean we’ll be working with completely different people?” Elias asked, scratching his cheek.
“That’s what the announcement says,” Darius replied.
Elias sighed.
“I was hoping we’d get to keep our arrangement.”
“Why?” Darius asked, raising an eyebrow. “Are you worried about working with someone else?”
“Not particularly. I’m more concerned about someone being assigned to work with me.”
Mira giggled softly.
Kael continued reading.
A separate notice at the bottom of the document contained the assessment schedule.
The first stage would begin in five days.
That wasn’t much time.
He had recently made progress with external mana manipulation, but his control remained crude. Maintaining a defensive formation required considerable concentration, and he still struggled to redirect objects consistently.
His swordsmanship also needed further refinement.
Meanwhile, his teammates had their own weaknesses to address.
Darius was improving, but his fighting style still relied heavily on overwhelming opponents through strength.
Elias needed more experience shooting while moving and adjusting to changing battlefield conditions.
Mira’s healing abilities were useful, but she needed to become more comfortable protecting herself when separated from the frontline.
Even Quinn could benefit from better precision.
Five days would not be enough to completely resolve those problems.
But it was enough to make meaningful progress.
Kael nodded.
“We have five days. We should use them properly.”
Elias slowly turned toward him.
“Does that mean we’re going to train every day until then?”
“Yes.”
Elias’s shoulders dropped.
“I knew I shouldn’t have asked.”
Darius chuckled and placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure you get enough practice.”
“That’s exactly what I’m worried about.”
Quinn crawled onto Kael’s shoulder.
“Qiu!”
The spider raised its front legs, seemingly excited.
Kael glanced at it.
“Don’t encourage him.”
“Qiu?”
Before they could continue discussing their preparations, a familiar voice came from behind them.
“Team 37.”
They turned around.
Instructor Rovan approached with a document in his hand.
“I’ve been looking for you.”
Kael glanced at the paper.
“Is there something else we need to know?”
“Your team has been assigned to a preliminary briefing this afternoon. Professor Vista wants to discuss the field simulation with the selected participants.”
Darius straightened slightly.
“Will we finally learn what the exercise involves?”
“Not entirely,” Rovan replied, shaking his head. “However, you’ll receive information about the training grounds and the rules.”
Kael nodded.
“Understood.”
Rovan’s attention shifted toward him.
“I also heard about your recent progress in mana manipulation. Professor Helen mentioned that you’ve established a stable external formation.”
Kael raised his eyebrows slightly.
“News travels quickly.”
“Your development is being monitored. Naturally, the instructors are interested.”
Rovan gave him a small smile.
“Continue your progress, but don’t neglect your other training.”
“I won’t.”
“Good. I’ll see you this afternoon.”
After Rovan left, Kael watched him disappear into the crowd.
Something about the instructor’s appearance reminded him of the sanctuary incident.
Rovan had fought Valthazar Stitch in a one-on-one battle.
Unfortunately, Kael still knew very little about the instructor’s actual combat abilities.
In the original game, Rovan hadn’t demonstrated his full strength this early in the story. His importance only became apparent much later, when he eventually became one of the pillars of the Hero Association.
Even then, the game had provided surprisingly little information about his personal history.
The confrontation with Valthazar was one example.
Kael didn’t know whether their battle had been motivated by personal grievances or some other circumstance.
The original storyline barely explored several of its supporting characters.
It was one of the limitations of relying on information from a game.
He knew certain outcomes, characters, and important events, but the details connecting them were often missing.
Looking at Rovan now, he appeared to have recovered fully.
His movements were steady, and there were no obvious signs of the injuries he had sustained during the confrontation.
Considering the academy’s resources, it was reasonable to assume he had received immediate treatment afterward.
Kael eventually turned toward his teammates.
“Let’s attend the briefing first. We can decide how to adjust our training afterward.”
Darius nodded.
“Sounds good.”
…
The briefing took place in one of the academy’s smaller lecture rooms. Around twenty students had gathered, including several familiar faces from the examination.
Kael noticed Seraphina sitting near the front with her teammates. She was reviewing a document while occasionally exchanging a few words with the students beside her.
Lilith was also present.
Unlike the others, she appeared considerably less interested in the proceedings. She sat with one hand supporting her cheek, casually observing the room.
When Seraphina spotted Kael, she gave him a small wave.
Kael returned the gesture before taking a seat with Team 37.
Elias leaned closer to him.
“Quite a few familiar faces,” he whispered, glancing around the room.
“Most of them performed well during the examination,” Darius replied quietly.
“I wonder who we’ll be paired with during the second stage.”
Mira looked toward the other students.
“Hopefully, someone will cooperate.”
“That’s a reasonable expectation,” Kael said, adjusting his position. “But we shouldn’t depend on it.”
Elias turned toward him with a questioning expression.
“Why do I feel like you’re preparing us for the worst possible situation?”
“Because it’s easier to adapt when your expectations are realistic.”
“That’s a depressing way to approach an assessment.”
Before Kael could respond, the lecture room’s doors opened.
Professor Vista entered shortly afterward.
The conversations gradually died down as he approached the front of the room.
“Thank you for coming. I’ll keep this briefing relatively short.”
He placed several documents on the table before turning toward the students.
“As you already know, the academy has organized this assessment to evaluate the students who demonstrated exceptional performance during the recent examination.”
His expression became more serious.
“However, I want to clarify something. This assessment is not a competition between students. Your objective is to demonstrate your abilities while following the instructions provided by the supervising instructors.”
He gestured toward the diagram behind him.
It depicted a large training facility divided into several interconnected sections.
“This is the academy’s northern training ground. It contains artificial terrain, concealed passages, reinforced structures, and several magical mechanisms designed to simulate unpredictable combat environments.”
Kael examined the diagram.
It was considerably more elaborate than the ordinary training grounds.
The facility contained multiple zones connected by narrow corridors and open spaces. Some sections resembled forest terrain, while others looked like ruined buildings or underground passageways.
There were even several structures that appeared to function as elevated platforms.
It was practically a miniature battlefield.
Professor Vista continued.
“The third stage will take place here. Each team will receive a mission objective, limited information, and a specific time limit. You’ll be expected to complete your assigned mission while dealing with the obstacles placed throughout the facility.”
A student near the front raised his hand.
“Professor, will we be informed about the obstacles beforehand?”
“Some of them,” Vista answered.
“Does that mean there will be hidden obstacles?”
“Correct.”
Several students exchanged glances.
Vista continued.
“Some mechanisms will be activated according to predetermined conditions. Others will respond to your actions. Your decisions may influence the environment, so I advise you to pay attention to your surroundings.”
Kael studied the diagram more carefully.
If the mechanisms could respond to their actions, blindly following a predetermined strategy would be unreliable.
They would need to observe the environment and adjust accordingly.
It also meant the assessment wasn’t simply about defeating opponents or reaching a destination.
The academy wanted to see how students handled situations where they didn’t possess complete information.
That was a considerably more useful evaluation than an ordinary sparring match.
Lilith raised her hand.
“Will the obstacles be predetermined?”
“Some will be. Others will respond to your actions,” Vista repeated.
Lilith nodded, seemingly satisfied.
Another student raised his hand.
“What happens if someone gets injured during the simulation?”
Professor Vista rested one hand against the table.
“The training grounds are equipped with protective mechanisms, and supervising instructors will intervene when necessary. However, that doesn’t mean you should disregard your safety.”
His gaze moved across the room.
“Your objective is to complete the assigned mission, not to injure yourselves trying to prove something.”
Kael found that instruction particularly relevant.
The academy might have established safety measures, but that didn’t mean students could afford to become reckless.
Even a controlled environment could expose weaknesses in their judgment.
Professor Vista then addressed the second stage.
“Regarding the team coordination exercise, your usual teammates will not necessarily be assigned together. The academy will reorganize the participants into mixed groups.”
Elias leaned toward Kael.
“Well, there goes our peaceful arrangement.”
Kael kept his eyes on the professor.
“That’s the point.”
Darius didn’t seem particularly bothered.
“Working with different people isn’t necessarily a problem.”
“I’m not worried about you,” Elias whispered, scratching his cheek. “I’m worried about whoever gets assigned with me.”
Mira turned toward him with an encouraging smile.
“I’m sure you’ll do fine.”
“That’s what everyone says before something terrible happens.”
Kael almost smiled.
He understood the concern, but there wasn’t much reason to worry about the arrangements yet.
They would have to learn to function independently regardless.
Professor Vista waited until the students had settled before continuing.
“One final matter. Due to the sanctuary incident, security around the academy has been increased. All participants must remain within the designated training areas, and no unauthorized visitors will be permitted.”
His gaze briefly swept across the students.
“These measures are precautionary. We have no confirmed evidence that the attackers from the examination have approached the academy.”
The atmosphere in the room became noticeably quieter.
The sanctuary incident was still fresh in everyone’s minds.
Although the academy had managed to prevent the situation from becoming worse, the attackers had escaped.
Kael listened carefully.
Valthazar Stitch and Lorelei Delilah were still at large.
Their original plan had failed, but Kael had no reason to believe they would simply abandon their objectives.
The failed ritual might have disrupted their preparations, yet that didn’t mean the people behind it had disappeared.
He briefly considered whether the upcoming assessment could become another opportunity for something unexpected to happen.
Then he dismissed the thought.
There was no point assuming every academy activity would turn into a disaster.
He had already changed several events simply by acting differently from the original storyline.
The future wasn’t fixed.
But that didn’t mean he could afford to become careless.
Professor Vista finished explaining the remaining regulations, including restrictions on personal equipment and the procedures for requesting assistance during the simulation.
The briefing concluded shortly afterward.